TIENTSIN CRISIS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 June 1939, Page 8

TIENTSIN CRISIS

NO DEMANDS FORMULATED BY JAPAN STATEMENT BY BRITISH PREMIER. NEGOTIATION DIFFICULT. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.m.) RUGBY, Juno 21. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, said Japan’s position on the main issues of the Tientsin question was still not clear, nor was it ye' decided whether these issues were to be discussed in Tokio or in Tientsin. Mr* A. Henderson: "May I ask whether the Premier's answer means that Japan has not yet precisely formulated any grievances she may have against this country, and if that is so does it not make negotiations very difficult?” Mr Chamberlain: “Yes, it does, but we hope that Japan will formulate her grievances.” The Premier repeated the assurances ho gave yesterday on the food question. Asked if Britain was keeping touch with America regarding the situation, Mr Chamberlain replied “No.” The Premier also stated that of a battalion which forms the British garrison in North China, rather more than half was, according to the latest strength returns, now stationed in Tientsin.

ALL GATES MANNED STRENGTH OF BRITISH GARRISON. INCREASED TO THREE HUNDRED. (Received This Day, 12.55 p.m.) TIENTSIN, June 21. The second company of the Durham Light Infantry has reinforced the British garrison. The military strength is now three hundred. All the gates are manned in readiness for trouble. Army lorry patrols have been increased and, packed with steel-helmeted soldiers, are moving ceaselessly throughout the Concession. The food problem has not improved. A most meagre supply of vegetables is trickling in. The Japanese continue partially disrobing and searching Britons. The protracted drought and sweltering heat have caused a water shortage. The British Consul informed the Japanese Consul that unless Mr G. A. Smith were released the matter would be referred to London. The Kulangsu deadlock continues. General Uchida has rejected the protest of the British. French and American Consuls concerning the acute food shortage. He said the stoppage of supplies was unavoidable, as the island was suffering from, lack of materials. VISIT BY DIPLOMAT. POSSIBLE SIGNIFICANCE. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. The Tokio correspondent of “The Times” says Mr Sotomasu Kato, former Minister at Ottawa, has been sent from Hsingkiang to inspect the blockade. His presence suggests that the Foreign Office desires to water down Tientsin’s heady wine.

APPEAL FOR ACTION BY AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. June 21. A cablegram received by the United States Chamber of Commerce from the American Chamber of Commerce at Tientsin said the situation is tense and immediate action is necessary in order to avoid disastrous injury. CHINESE BANKS MORATORIUM DECLARED. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) SHANGHAI. June 21. The Chinese banks are declaring a three-day moratorium on June 22, susending all transactions with the object of forcing foreign banks to sell their currencies more freely and raise the exchange value of the dollar, which at present Is quoted at Gid. compared . with the pegged rate of 81d. LOSS OF SWATOW SIGNS OF TREACHERY. EARLY RETREAT OF TROOPS. (Received This Dav, 1.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 21. The Hong Kong correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says that scarcely a shot was fired at Swatow. China has lost her last seaport. Suspicions of treachery are strengthened by the fact that instructions to dynamite and set fire to the city were not executed, although 30.000 Chinese troops left to defend the port retreated to the hinterland six hours before the Japanese vanguard entered the city. However, dykes on the Han River, fifteen miles above the city, were dynamited and the entire countryside is threatened with inundation. “The Times” Tokio correspondent says the capture of Swatow is a vital blow to Chinese economic life, as it was the only remaining artery for the nourishment of the Army.